A nurse is collecting data from a newborn who has respiratory distress syndrome and is experiencing respiratory acidosis. Which of the following risk factors predisposes the newborn to respiratory difficulties?

Choice A reason:

Nevus flammeus is a port-wine stain, a type of birthmark that is present at birth and does not fade over time. It is caused by a malformation of capillaries in the skin and appears as a reddish-purple patch. It can occur anywhere on the body but is not associated with swelling or suture lines.

Choice B reason:

Cephalhematoma is a collection of blood under the periosteum of the skull bone, usually caused by trauma during delivery. It appears as a swollen area on the head that does not cross the suture line because it is limited by the boundaries of the bone. It usually resolves within a few weeks or months without treatment.

Choice C reason:

Molding is the temporary change in the shape of the newborn's head due to the pressure of the birth canal during delivery. It results in an elongated or cone-shaped head that may cross the suture line. It usually resolves within a few days as the skull bones return to their normal position.

Choice D reason:

Caput succedaneum is a localized swelling of the scalp, usually caused by pressure from the cervix or vacuum extraction during delivery. It appears as a soft, puffy area on the head that crosses the suture line because it is not limited by the bone. It usually resolves within a few days without treatment.

Choice A reason:

Hypoglycemia is a common complication for newborns whose mothers have diabetes mellitus. This is because the newborn's pancreas produces excessive insulin in response to the high glucose levels in the mother's blood during pregnancy. After birth, the newborn's glucose levels drop rapidly, while the insulin levels remain high, resulting in hypoglycemia. The nurse should monitor the newborn's blood glucose levels and signs of hypoglycemia, such as jitteriness, lethargy, poor feeding, and temperature instability.

Choice B reason:

Decreased RBC is not a likely complication for newborns whose mothers have diabetes mellitus. In fact, these newborns may have increased RBC due to chronic fetal hypoxia caused by placental insufficiency. The nurse should monitor the newborn's hematocrit and signs of polycythemia, such as ruddy skin, jaundice, and respiratory distress.

Choice C reason:

Hyperbilirubinemia is not a likely complication for newborns whose mothers have diabetes mellitus. In fact, these newborns may have increased bilirubin levels due to hemolysis of excess RBC and delayed hepatic clearance. The nurse should monitor the newborn's serum bilirubin levels and signs of jaundice, such as yellow skin and sclera, poor feeding, and lethargy.

Choice D reason:

Hypercalcemia is not a likely complication for newborns whose mothers have diabetes mellitus. In fact, these newborns may have hypocalcemia due to decreased parathyroid hormone secretion and increased calcium binding to albumin. The nurse should monitor the newborn's serum calcium levels and signs of hypocalcemia, such as jitteriness, tremors, seizures, and cardiac arrhythmias.